The Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, MUI) has issued a fatwa prohibiting men from wearing women's clothing, especially during carnival events marking the 17 August independence day celebrations. Vice Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, KH Abdul Muiz Ali, emphasised that imitating the appearance of the opposite sex is forbidden under Islamic law.
"It is forbidden for men to appear or wear clothing that is customarily worn by women, and likewise the reverse," said Muiz, quoted from the MUI's official website. The prohibition applies without exception, whether in private spaces or public places such as entertainment venues and streets, according to Muiz.
Muiz explained that the prohibition is based on an authentic hadith reported by Imam Bukhari, which states that the Prophet cursed men who imitate women and vice versa. The independence day commemoration should be filled with positive activities that reflect gratitude and strengthen unity, Muiz said.
In a modern context, Muiz highlighted that wearing clothing of the opposite sex risks becoming a means to introduce hidden agendas that contradict social and religious norms. "Wearing clothing of the opposite sex tends to campaign for practices of movements that are clearly forbidden by religion," he said.
